Ten to broaden program offering

Ten to broaden program offering - The West Australian

Ten Network is broadening its offering of TV shows as it tries to win back viewers and advertisers.

Chief executive James Warburton says as well as a new series of the hit reality TV show MasterChef, the network has plenty of program choice in the post-Easter schedule.

Ten is building its schedule around its "Super Sunday" line-up and shows such as Bikie Wars, Being Lara Bingle and The Shire due to hit the screens shortly in addition to the high-rating MasterChef.

"We are moving away from the one-bet, one-punch mentality. We are building on that property and adding diversity and depth to our schedule," Mr Warburton said during Ten's first half results presentation on Thursday.

"We know when we get to launching the schedule with the power of MasterChef, as the dominant and much-loved brand, with the combination of new content that we will do very well."

The 87 hours of MasterChef broadcast in 2011 averaged 1.58 million viewers in the metropolitan cities.

Mr Warburton was presenting his first set of financial results since taking the chief executive's chair on January 1, 2012, having been poached from Seven in 2011.

But his debut results were disappointing for shareholders, with Ten's net profit plunging 70 per cent to $14.8 million for the six months to February 29, compared with the prior corresponding period.

While a weak result was anticipated after Ten updated the market in February, it still came in well below market consensus of $22.6 million, according to a median of six analysts' forecasts gathered by AAP.

Revenue fell 10.9 per cent to $432.7 million.

Mr Warburton said advertising markets remained challenging and it was a tough time for the company.

However, Ten's position had improved since the end of the first half.

"I think it would be fair to say, without a total degree of certainty, that from May on perhaps a flatter, less volatile trend of weeks up and weeks down will start to emerge," he said.